How Parma Handles Environmental Rules: A Practical Guide
Parma maintains 135 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with environmental rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Parma falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Stormwater Management
Parma bans discharging anything but storm water into the city's storm drain system or watercourses under Codified Ordinances Chapter 938. The City Engineer administers the program under Ohio EPA's MS4 permit, can suspend a violator's storm drain access without notice in an emergency, and issues notices of violation carrying a $300-per-day civil fine on top of criminal penalties.
Key details: Enforcing agency: City Engineer, Div. of Engineering. Civil fine: $300 per day (938.14(e)). Criminal penalty: 4th-degree misdemeanor (938.99). Appeal window: 14 days from notice of violation. Governing chapter: Codified Ordinances Ch. 938.
Illicit discharges and connections to the storm system are prosecuted as a fourth-degree misdemeanor under 938.99, with each day of a continuing violation counted as a separate offense. The City Engineer can also issue a civil notice of violation carrying a $300-per-day administrative fine (938.14(e)), suspend MS4 access without notice in an emergency (938.08(a)), and bill the owner for the city's cleanup costs, which become a lien on the property if unpaid (938.17).
Flood Elevation Requirements
Parma requires new construction and substantially improved residential structures in special flood hazard areas to have the lowest floor, including the basement, elevated to or above the flood protection elevation: the base flood elevation plus two feet of freeboard. A floodplain development permit from the Floodplain Administrator is mandatory before any such work begins.
Key details: Freeboard requirement: Base flood elevation plus 2 feet. Default rule if no BFE data: 2 feet above highest adjacent grade. Governing authority: Floodplain Administrator. Permit required: Floodplain development permit before construction. Penalty class: First-degree misdemeanor, strict liability.
Failure to obtain a floodplain development permit, or building outside the terms of an issued permit, is a violation of Chapter 1526 under Section 1526.36(a)(2)-(3), triggering a written notice of violation from the Floodplain Administrator specifying required remedial action and a compliance deadline. Section 1526.99 makes any violation a strict liability offense and a first-degree misdemeanor, with each day of continuing violation charged as a separate offense; the city may pursue additional lawful remedies beyond prosecution.
Flood Zones
Parma FEMA flood zones concentrated along Big Creek and other Cuyahoga River tributaries. Properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zone AE) require flood insurance for federally-backed mortgages. Parma participates in NFIP.
Key details: Zones: Big Creek corridor AE. Program: NFIP participating. Insurance: Required AE zones. Freeboard: Above BFE.
Unpermitted floodplain development: fines, forced elevation, loss of NFIP eligibility. Insurance fraud for non-disclosure.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Parma actively enforces its flood zones requirements.
Erosion Control
Parma requires a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan and City Engineer approval before any soil-disturbing construction begins. The rule covers subdivisions, commercial and residential projects, farm building activity and general clearing, backed by a cash bond and inspection program under Codified Ordinances Chapter 2303.
Key details: Governing chapter: Codified Ordinances Ch. 2303. Bond required: $3,000 minimum plus $3,000 per acre. Fees: Set by Chapter 185 fee schedule. Suspension power: Up to 90 days for noncompliance. Penalty: First-degree misdemeanor, $1,000/180 days.
Violating Chapter 2303, including working without an approved SWP3 or continuing after a stop-work order, is a first-degree misdemeanor under Section 2303.99: up to a $1,000 fine, up to 180 days in jail, or both, with each day of continued noncompliance charged as a separate offense. The City Engineer can also halt work immediately and revoke the permit, and the Law Director may separately sue to enjoin or abate the violation.
The Bottom Line
Parma's environmental rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Parma is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Parma's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.